Repair of Road Bridges

[Sanjeev Goyal]

MORTH/E/2024/0005886

10/05/2024

 

Grievance: In our country with increase in road network the number of road bridges is also increasing rapidly and so is the frequency of repairing activity. The maintenance activities are carried out as and when planned by the concerned state road owning agency mostly PWD or concerned municipality. Generally, authorities close bridge for the repair activity. Many of such repair is not emergent in nature but a panned activity. It has been observed that this closure becomes a cause of serious trouble for passing by vehicle in terms of slow movement & traffic jam leading to increased pollution & loss of valuable time.

 

Probable Solution: In order to mitigate this loss, an SOP may be developed to suggest the best period when any such planned repair should happen to cause minimum disturbance to road users. For example:

(1)    It has been observed that second fortnight of May & December witnesses least vehicular movement as many employees avail leaves during this period. In many parts of the country both of these periods represent peak of summer & winter, hence many people slow down their outdoor activities.

(2)    The repair requiring 2-3 days must be carried out from Friday night to Monday morning or during long weekends only.

(3)    Efforts may be made to carry out the repair activity on 24 hours working basis,

(4)    As schools generate a significant portion of traffic, efforts should be made to align the repair activity with school holidays.

(5)    As Monday/Tuesday faces highest traffic load, any repair spanning up to 4-5 days must exclude these days of the week.

 

Development of a concept paper in this regard may be considered by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways or Ministry of Urban Affairs or some other relevant authority for nation-wide enforcement.